17.12.18

My Hair Was Not This Grey When I Started Out In 2015 - VP Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says he is not a spare tyre to the
president, emphasizing that his roles as the number two citizen are
spelt out in the constitution. Osinbajo said this during the
vice-presidential debate organised by the Nigerian Elections Debate
Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

He said this differs from the constitution of other countries.

Asked how taking the job of the vice-president has been since he assumed
office over three years, Osinbajo said the demand of the role has since
increased his grey hair.

He, however, said despite the herculean nature of his job, it has also been rewarding.
“I am sure that those who know me quite well know that my hair was not
this grey when I started out in 2015. So really, it has been tasking,” Osinbajo said.

“And it has also been an incredibly rewarding experience especially
looking at it from the point of view of the ability to do the things
that one wanted to do all along as an individual.

“The role is one where you are in many senses the chief adviser to the
president of the country and possibly the one person that would
represent him when when he is absent for a meeting and even when he is
absent for a longer period.

“So there is a sense in which the role of the vice president is one that
very closely mirrors the role of the president in very profound ways.

“But our vice-presidency is different from that of other countries.
Because unlike other countries, even countries that have similar
constitutions, our own constitution actually specifies role for the vice
president. The vice president is the chairman of the national economic
council…that is a constitutional role.

“In some senses, those who say the role of the vice president is like a
spare tyre have it wrong because they are probably looking at other
jurisdictions. In our jurisdiction, there are specific roles that the
vice-president is entitled by law to perform.

“The vice president is also the chairman of the NCP, that is the
national council of privatisation , the vice president is also statutory
chairman over 22 parastatals and agencies and these are defined by law.

“That role is one that a good degree of trust is required between the
president and the vice president. The role of the vice-president is one
which also requires, I think, a great deal of patience because you may
not always agree with the policies.”